Today we’d like to introduce you to Takiya Jarnagin.
Hi Takiya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I go by Jiggy. Jiggy came from a friend in high school who just simply was in support of my hobby at the time, dancing. The nickname traveled quickly and eventually, everyone was calling me that. This was my first transformation, jiggy was someone who was confident and when it was time to perform, nothing else mattered. So eventually, jiggy became my alter ego. In 2015, I decided to attend the Illustrious Clark Atlanta University. This phase of life changed me because my mom only wanted me in white schools, the more Caucasian, the better in her eyes. When it came to attending an HBCU, it was a major culture shock for me. My high school senior portraits are what sparked the model interest. The photos made me realize how photogenic and beautiful I was behind the camera, failing to realize that I actually looked just as beautiful in person. This made me want to become an influencer because I knew there were full-figured girls who wanted to feel that same spark I felt from seeing myself in the photos.
Just like my nickname Jiggy, my close friends have a major influence on my brand. Currently, Jigalodeon is me, myself, and I. I do not sell products (yet), I more so have services. I am a fashion model, runway, print, commercial, as well as editorial. In addition, I am a social media influencer and have credentials in Fashion Merchandising and Social Media Management. Upon visiting my website, you’ll see the many projects I have done along with background on my personal journey. Jigalodeon is everything Jiggy. When you enter Jigalodeon your vision may come to life through photo or even video. The goal is to create a visual beyond what you’ve imagined in your head whether I am the muse or we find the perfect muse for you. I have a few interviews that I have done previously where you can see the development of my personal brand. Previously, I went by the name Jig Marie, but I always felt like that wasn’t original enough for the impact I desired to achieve.
I found a love for media during my undergrad curriculum while creating video content for simple fun or class projects. Eventually, I became so great at it that professors began to encourage me to zone in on that creative aspect. This December, I am graduating with an MS in Social Media Management while in the process of developing my own brand. I maintain many social media accounts and am the brains behind many campaigns for local businesses. Having been in Atlanta for almost 10 years, I have decided to relocate to Houston, TX and expand my career. I can be transparent and say that I am not at my end goal yet! I am so close but so far away. It’s tough because everything literally costs money, but one major decision I made was paying attention to what I was actually spending my money on. Initially, I would invest in everything except myself and sometimes the investment is as simple as time. Please feel free to visit my website (jigalodeon.com)or connect with me on any social platform (@Jigalodeon).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Finally deciding on my brand name was definitely tough. This journey has honestly been crazy. Jig Marie was born in 2018 when I was basically entering another transformation in my life. My grandma died in April of 2018 and that really broke me, I became a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority Incorporated (best decision of my life), I was preparing for this major weight loss surgery, and graduation was approaching fast. 2018 was pretty much a year where I lost everything and before I was able to lose myself, I applied for MissDivaKurves Kurve Angel Calendar for the year 2019 and this is where I decided to go from Jiggy to Jigmarie. Jigmarie is the older, wiser version of jiggy. She is driven to be the epitome for plus-size women and that has always been the goal. I decided to not make Jig Marie an alter ego, but me all the time. I wasn’t doing enough. After graduation happened May 20, 2019 and receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising, I was pretty much homeless for a good two weeks, jumping from house to house and sleeping in the car sometimes. This was a very humbling experience because it helped me understand that I wasn’t only meant to serve one purpose on this earth. I have seen a whole different side of me.
On January 18, 2019, I got gastric sleeve surgery. This is a form of weight loss surgery which in short term, stops the overeating I was doing. This confused a lot of my viewers because I am a plus-size model and it really didn’t make sense as to why I wanted to lose weight. Well, I still am a plus model, Jig Marie is still alive, but she’s alive and healthy. With my highest weight being 320 pounds and now sitting at 185, I am happier than I have ever been. My advice would be to remember that networking for sure is huge. Be very fearless and purposeful in your actions. I love meeting new people and gaining new experiences. Clark Atlanta has also been good to me in reference to knowing many others like myself and building healthy relationships. What I have learned is that moving with purpose is essential. Meaning, being in the right place at the right time can be achieved, but work is definitely required. Ultimately no opportunity that’s for you will land in someone else’s lap! So take full advantage of the opportunities presented. Leaps of faith are extremely important when having the entrepreneurial mindset.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Overall, I really enjoy representing brands and especially moving small brands to the next level. I work on all my portfolios 25/8! Sometimes I am shooting.. or getting booked for music videos… and then sometimes I’m working on content calendars for a business or myself. Jigalodeon is my name because I am not just one thing, I am a whole network of talent and creativity. My brand is myself, Jigalodeon. I am a fashion model and runway is my expertise. I can do print, commercial, and editorial shoots as well. Outside of that I’m a content creator and I specialize in creative direction/styling/vlogging/blogging. I am also seasoned in marketing and public relations. I utilize my degrees (have to make an income until I hit the lottery or get famous tomorrow) but they’re in fashion merchandising and social media management.
I am able to be the muse and find the perfect muse. Knowing what to sell, who to sell to, and where is something brands often struggle with. Being a media manager allows me to target an audience that is catered to the brand than what the business owner can do alone. Businesses are teamwork and when it comes to merchandising and marketing, a solid team will give an advantage in this very competitive fashion industry.
I have worked with brands or people such as SHEIN, Rich County LLC, Fanty Fitness, BodybyTed, Banni Peru, Jullian Brittano, Jacquees, Miss Diva Kurves Collection, Swanky Ds, ChosenATL, Macy’s, Painted by Shawn Denise and Draper James located in Lenox shops. These are brands and companies that I have either modeled for or have spent time being their digital creator.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am an open book! I have a ton of experience to be only 24 and am seeking platforms that can reach the younger generations. I can be transparent and say that I am not at my end goal yet! I am so close but so far away. It’s tough because everything literally costs money, but one major decision I made was paying attention to what I was actually spending my money on. Initially, I would invest in everything except myself and sometimes, the investment is as simple as time. I have support from family as well as my partner. I also take advantage of having multiple incomes due to my lifestyle being a little pricey sometimes. The goal is consistency so that I don’t constantly have to keep going back to the drawing board! My advice would be to have your goals be realistic and relevant to you. The next person’s journey is not yours.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jigalodeon.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Jigalodeon
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKn_Upo06auUJW0UjlUva3Q
